PACE 8

American Revolution

Founding Fathers Socratic Seminar

EQ: What political, economic, and social factors led to both the American and French
Revolutions?
Enduring Understandings
Learning Targets
When deprived of political and economic liberties, conflict Identify and explain the main ideas from the Declaration of
may arise.
Independence.
Political and economic change is at the core of most
revolutions.

Americas Founding Fathers laid the cornerstone for the experiment in democracy that
we all enjoy today. Many individuals brought their own unique view of history,
government, individual rights, personal freedoms, and a vision for America. The
mixture of all of these ideas and backgrounds came together to found our country. In
order to gain a better understanding of America and why we became the country and
people that we are, it is important that we understand the individuals behind the
founding of the United States of America.
Directions: We will examine 12 Founding Fathers over the next several weeks by
reading short biographies and examples of their writings/speeches. You will read 3
Founding Father biography packets each session and complete the notes guide. On
seminar days, you will participate in a Socratic Seminar where you will discuss the
impact of the Founders. You will be allowed to use your notes from the biographies
but not the biographies themselves. We will cover 3 Founders each session in order
to cover all 12 Founders.
How you will be graded: You will receive a grade for each Socratic Seminar based
upon the following criteria:
A. Participation in the discussion answering questions, posing questions, etc.
B. Preparation prior to the seminar knowledge of the Founder, notes taken,
etc.
C. Seminar reflection after each seminar, you will be asked to write a response
to a prompt using the examples of the Founding Fathers to justify your
answer.
List of Founding Fathers Socratic Seminar Dates: *all subject to change
Socratic Seminar 1: _______
Sam Adams
James Otis
John Hancock

Socratic Seminar 2: _______

Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Paine
Patrick Henry

Socratic Seminar 3: _______

John Adams
Thomas Jefferson

Socratic Seminar 4: _______

George Washington
James Madison

Abigail Adams

Alexander Hamilton
Socratic Seminars Participant Preparations

What do we all do before we come to a Socratic Seminar?

Read the "texts" thoroughly, taking notes to highlight key passages.

Pre-Socratic Seminar Question Writing

Before you come to a Socratic Seminar event, please read the assigned texts and write at
least three questions. Your questions should include no more than one from each of the
categories (question types) described below.
Close-ended question: Write a question about the text that will help everyone in
the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This
question usually has a "correct" answer.
Example: What is the historical circumstance around the production of the
document?
Open-ended question: Write an insightful question about the text that will require
proof, insights, and group discussion to discover or explore the answer to the
question.
Example: What was the impetus of the Revolution?
World connection question: Write a question connecting the text to the real
world.
Example: How relevant is the texts discussion/theme of personal liberties in our
post-9/11 world?
Universal theme question: Write a question dealing with a theme(s) of the text
that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.
Example: How has the concept of the role of free speech changed since the writing
of the text?
Historical analysis question: Write a question dealing with the historical
importance of the text.
Example: What did the documents discussion of individual rights personally mean to
the colonists of North America in the 18th Century?

Pre-Socratic Seminar Note-taking

In addition to questions, you need to take the following notes for each of the Founding
Fathers:

Founding Father biography (brief summarization)

Political stance

Main idea/summarize notable speeches/writings

Contribution to the Revolution

Life/career achievement

Things to consider:
o
o
o

What is the main theme/idea of each document? How does each document
relate to the guided prompt/questions/quotes?
How do philosophical ideas of the documents relate to American culture today?
How did authors backgrounds impact their ideas?

**These items will all be turned in at the end of the seminar as part of your grade.**

Founding Fathers Socratic Seminar # ___ Rubric

Preparation
Preparation for
the seminar is
demonstrated
with completed
notes and
questions for the
group.
Participation
Participant, through
his or her comments,
shows that he or she
is actively listening to
other participants. He
or she offers
clarification and/or
follow-up that
extends the
conversation.
Written
Reflection
Student
demonstrates
correct application
of information to
the prompt.

Exceptional
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sophisticated
understanding of
topic.

Mastery
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sufficient
understanding of
topic.

Proficient
Notes and
questions
submitted show
limited
understanding of
topic.

Novice
Notes and/or
questions not
submitted

30-21
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
exceptional
knowledge of the
text and the
topic.

20-11
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
sufficient
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

10-1
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
limited
knowledge of the
text and the
topic.

0
No
participation

30-21

20-11

10-1

-Student
appropriately
addresses
prompt with
several
references to
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates a
significant and
sophisticated
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student
Provides
excellent depth,
quality &
quantity

- Student
addresses the
prompt with
limited references
to the people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates an
adequate
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
sufficient depth,
quality & quantity

- Student
addresses the
prompt, but
provides
insufficient
references to the
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates
only a limited
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student
provides
insufficient
depth, quality,
and/or quantity

- Student does
not address
the prompt
and does not
provide
references to
the people and
concepts
within the text.
- Student
demonstrates
an inadequate
understanding
of the material
and topic.
- Student
provides
insufficient
depth, quality
and/or
quantity

40-31

30-21

20-11

10-0

Grade & Comments: /100

Founding Father Socratic Seminar # ____ Reflection Writing Prompt:

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Name:_______________
Founding Fathers Socratic Seminar # _1__ Rubric
Preparation
Preparation for the
seminar is
demonstrated with
completed notes
and questions for
the group.
Participation
Participant, through his
or her comments,
shows that he or she is
actively listening to
other participants. He
or she offers
clarification and/or
follow-up that extends
the conversation.
Written Reflection
Student
demonstrates
correct application
of information to
the prompt.

Exceptional
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sophisticated
understanding of
topic.

Mastery
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sufficient
understanding of
topic.

Proficient
Notes and
questions
submitted show
limited
understanding of
topic.

Novice
Notes and/or
questions not
submitted

30-21
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
exceptional
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

20-11
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
sufficient
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

10-1
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
limited knowledge
of the text and the
topic.

0
No participation

30-21
-Student
appropriately
addresses prompt
with several
references to
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates a
significant and
sophisticated
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student Provides
excellent depth,
quality & quantity

20-11
- Student addresses
the prompt with
limited references
to the people and
concepts within the
text.
- Student
demonstrates an
adequate
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
sufficient depth,
quality & quantity

10-1
- Student
addresses the
prompt, but
provides
insufficient
references to the
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates only
a limited
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
insufficient depth,
quality, and/or
quantity

40-31

30-21

20-11

0
- Student does
not address the
prompt and
does not
provide
references to
the people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates
an inadequate
understanding
of the material
and topic.
- Student
provides
insufficient
depth, quality
and/or quantity
10-0

Grade & Comments: /100

Founding Father Socratic Seminar # __1__ Reflection Writing Prompt:

The colonists based their protests on their interpretation of the British

Constitution and on the higher authority that came in the form of natural
laws and natural rights.
How is this statement reflected by the Founding Fathers?
(Write on the back or attach a separate sheet of paper)
Name:_______________
Founding Fathers Socratic Seminar # _2__ Rubric
Preparation
Preparation for the
seminar is
demonstrated with
completed notes
and questions for
the group.
Participation
Participant, through his
or her comments,
shows that he or she is
actively listening to
other participants. He
or she offers
clarification and/or
follow-up that extends
the conversation.
Written Reflection
Student
demonstrates
correct application
of information to
the prompt.

Exceptional
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sophisticated
understanding of
topic.

Mastery
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sufficient
understanding of
topic.

Proficient
Notes and
questions
submitted show
limited
understanding of
topic.

Novice
Notes and/or
questions not
submitted

30-21
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
exceptional
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

20-11
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
sufficient
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

10-1
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
limited knowledge
of the text and the
topic.

0
No participation

30-21
-Student
appropriately
addresses prompt
with several
references to
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates a
significant and
sophisticated
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student Provides
excellent depth,
quality & quantity

20-11
- Student addresses
the prompt with
limited references
to the people and
concepts within the
text.
- Student
demonstrates an
adequate
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
sufficient depth,
quality & quantity

10-1
- Student
addresses the
prompt, but
provides
insufficient
references to the
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates only
a limited
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
insufficient depth,
quality, and/or
quantity

40-31

30-21

20-11

0
- Student does
not address the
prompt and
does not
provide
references to
the people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates
an inadequate
understanding
of the material
and topic.
- Student
provides
insufficient
depth, quality
and/or quantity
10-0

Grade & Comments: /100

Founding Father Socratic Seminar # __2__ Reflection Writing Prompt:

How do these three Founding Fathers embody the basic principles found in
the Declaration of Independence (a document that reflects the foundations
of the Revolution itself) as they sought to create a country that would
preserve the delicate balance between life (natural rights), liberty
(religion, civil [governmental] rights) and the pursuit of happiness
(virtue, knowledge)?
(Write on the back or attach a separate sheet of paper)
Name:_______________
Founding Fathers Socratic Seminar # _3__ Rubric
Preparation
Preparation for the
seminar is
demonstrated with
completed notes
and questions for
the group.
Participation
Participant, through his
or her comments,
shows that he or she is
actively listening to
other participants. He
or she offers
clarification and/or
follow-up that extends
the conversation.
Written Reflection
Student
demonstrates
correct application
of information to
the prompt.

Exceptional
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sophisticated
understanding of
topic.

Mastery
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sufficient
understanding of
topic.

Proficient
Notes and
questions
submitted show
limited
understanding of
topic.

Novice
Notes and/or
questions not
submitted

30-21
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
exceptional
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

20-11
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
sufficient
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

10-1
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
limited knowledge
of the text and the
topic.

0
No participation

30-21
-Student
appropriately
addresses prompt
with several
references to
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates a
significant and
sophisticated
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student Provides
excellent depth,
quality & quantity

20-11
- Student addresses
the prompt with
limited references
to the people and
concepts within the
text.
- Student
demonstrates an
adequate
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
sufficient depth,
quality & quantity

10-1
- Student
addresses the
prompt, but
provides
insufficient
references to the
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates only
a limited
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
insufficient depth,
quality, and/or
quantity

40-31

30-21

20-11

0
- Student does
not address the
prompt and
does not
provide
references to
the people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates
an inadequate
understanding
of the material
and topic.
- Student
provides
insufficient
depth, quality
and/or quantity
10-0

Grade & Comments: /100

Founding Father Socratic Seminar # ___3_ Reflection Writing Prompt:

The Founding Fathers considered their rebellion a noble cause that was
morally, politically, and socially justified. Debate or defend this position
using the Founding Fathers viewpoints as support.
(Write on the back or attach a separate sheet of paper)
Name:_______________
Founding Fathers Socratic Seminar # _4__ Rubric
Preparation
Preparation for the
seminar is
demonstrated with
completed notes
and questions for
the group.
Participation
Participant, through his
or her comments,
shows that he or she is
actively listening to
other participants. He
or she offers
clarification and/or
follow-up that extends
the conversation.
Written Reflection
Student
demonstrates
correct application
of information to
the prompt.

Exceptional
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sophisticated
understanding of
topic.

Mastery
Notes and
questions
submitted show
sufficient
understanding of
topic.

Proficient
Notes and
questions
submitted show
limited
understanding of
topic.

Novice
Notes and/or
questions not
submitted

30-21
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
exceptional
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

20-11
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
sufficient
knowledge of the
text and the topic.

10-1
Comments and
questions
demonstrate
limited knowledge
of the text and the
topic.

0
No participation

30-21
-Student
appropriately
addresses prompt
with several
references to
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates a
significant and
sophisticated
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student Provides
excellent depth,
quality & quantity

20-11
- Student addresses
the prompt with
limited references
to the people and
concepts within the
text.
- Student
demonstrates an
adequate
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
sufficient depth,
quality & quantity

10-1
- Student
addresses the
prompt, but
provides
insufficient
references to the
people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates only
a limited
understanding of
the material and
topic.
- Student provides
insufficient depth,
quality, and/or
quantity

40-31

30-21

20-11

0
- Student does
not address the
prompt and
does not
provide
references to
the people and
concepts within
the text.
- Student
demonstrates
an inadequate
understanding
of the material
and topic.
- Student
provides
insufficient
depth, quality
and/or quantity
10-0

Grade & Comments: /100

Founding Father Socratic Seminar # ___4_ Reflection Writing Prompt:

The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the
place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be
necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but
the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no
government would be necessary.
-Federalist No. 51
How would these Founders respond to this quote?

(Write on the back or attach a separate sheet of paper)